Art Therapy Private Practice

Does being and art therapist in private practice really need to be so difficult? It seems like there is a continual struggle for art therapists who want to practice what they love- helping other's transform their lives, and making a fantastic living. Perhaps the paradigm of how art therapists and other therpists work needs to shift? Maybe it's time we valued our unique gifts and found ways to help many more people and get paid really well to do so. Now is the time for a paradigm transformation. Sign up (in the right hand column) for the 7 Simple steps to more clients, more money, and more time and learn how to create a therapy business you love!

Art Therapy Books

Laura was one of the contributing authors in the newly released book, Healing With Heart and Soul: Engaging One’s Self Through Art Modalities (2009) edited by Kathy Luethje. This fascinating collection of essays contains a variety of perspectives about the use of expressive arts for facilitating physical and emotional healing. Each author within brings a fresh approach and unique experiences to their writing. You can order the book through Cambridge Scholars Publishing or order from me directly (info@thecreativityqueen.com) and save the shipping costs from Great Britain. The book is 450 pages Hardcover ($75.00)

Creative Summer Fun

Don't let summer pass you by without spending some time enjoying nature, family, and friends! Pull out some paints and see what you discover. Maybe you want to spruce up some old furniture and turn them into original works of art, or paint some rocks to add to your garden? Summer is all about letting your childlike self come out and play. 

Here are some pictures from my recent trip to our house in the Finger Lakes NY. We managed to chase fireflies (put them in a jar and then release them), drink wine from the local wineries, take a splash in two different lakes, spend time with friends out on the boat, eat lots of great local food, visit a waterfall, play with children in a splash park, host friends from FL in out home, see family and friends, and watch fireworks on two different lakes. Hope this inspires you to enjoy the ripe fun of summertime!

CREATIVITY QUEEN MAKES NATIONAL NEWS!

The Creativity Creativity Queen's success is featured on SCORE's national website and in the Statement to the U.S. House Small Business Committee Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade U.S. House of Representatives on April 2, 2009!

SCORE Helps Entrepreneur Find a Creative New Direction

SCORE Helps Entrepreneur Find a Creative New Direction

Laura Dessauer decided to put her master's degree in art therapy to use aiding children through her Sarasota business, Creativity Queen LLC. Laura met with Manasota SCORE mentor Wally Bishop for 25 mentoring sessions. She opened her firm in November 2006, just as the Florida economy was beginning to slide. Together with Wally, she developed her strategic plan, trademarked her logo and planned a sales strategy. She wrote a book using the character she created, "Creativity Queen." Wally helped Laura identify opportunities that included multiple product lines to give her more revenue options. She not only offers direct art therapy, but she’s expanded her business into 12-week courses for children, plus a book and DVD available commercially. SCORE provided mentoring on business planning, sales planning, financing, leasing, marketing planning and publishing. Laura Dessauer was honored by Manasota SCORE as client of the year in 2007 for her first year of success. She says the SCORE honor brought her publicity and credibility and helped more people find out about her business.

"What I learned from SCORE continues to help me make it through the recession. SCORE mentoring helped prepare me, so I could double revenue for four months and have a cushion as the recession continues." —Laura Dessauer, owner, Creativity Queen

Laura's first year in business was profitable and she added her first employee. Her second year revenue grew 20 percent and she continued to be profitable. As the recession took hold in Florida, Laura says, "SCORE helped me lay the foundation, so I could be nimble and effective in adjusting my product offerings in the fall of 2008. SCORE mentoring helped prepare me, so I could double revenue for four months and have a cushion as the recession continues." Laura adds, "I wholeheartedly recommend SCORE. The business experience and knowledge my counselor shared helped guide me through unfamiliar territory and set up a path forward to meet my goals. What I learned from SCORE continues to help me make it through the recession. I'm ahead in revenue for 2009. I'll be back in touch with my mentor to brainstorm ideas and look ahead to the next six months and how to stay profitable in 2009." From the SCORE website: http://www.score.org/success_creativity_queen.html

Are you raising a codependent child? Three things you need to know

Are you raising a codependent child? I know, the statement sounds quite alarmist. However, I see many children in my practice whose parents are teaching them codependent behaviors and they are not even aware of what they are doing!

Read the article below to ensure you are not doing the three things below. If you find yourself falling into these traps it is time to make a change!

Feature Article: "Are you raising a codependent child? Three things you need to know"

In the past codependency was associated with person who enabled an alcoholic or drug addict. These days codependency has become associated with emotional dependencies in a relationship. All relationships involve a dependency on another person to some extent. However, when an individual compromises their own values and wants to avoid rejection and anger they are exhibiting codependent behaviors.

The reason why this is so important for parents to understand is that its origins start in childhood. So if you are doing the following three things you may be planting the seeds of codependency.

1. Being inflexible ( or the type A- "Superparent")

If you are the type of person who has a rigid plan of how and when things are done you do not allow your child an opportunity to voice their choice. If you are so in control of their schedule, their food choices, their clothing choices, or their playmates you are restricting your child from having the opportunity to explore their choices. You send out a message loud and clear to your child that they are not responsible for their choices or decisions and someone else has all the power. As they grow older they are likely to seek out relationships in which someone else has all the power and control.

What can you do? Allow your child some freedom of choice. If it is not a safety issue then it is negotiable. Let go of the need to be in control so you child has the freedom to grow and learn, even from their mistakes!

2. Having your child meet your needs

I know many parents who fall into this trap but do not see that they are doing this. If you are not fulfilling yourself in other areas of your life, like your relationships, your work, or your passions, you may default to living vicariously thorough your child. When you spend more energy on your child's interests and less on what gives your life meaning and pleasure you model codependent self-sacrificing behaviors. You also unconsciously teach your child that their value comes from pleasing you. The cute "look mom" behavior phase that most kids go through when they want your approval may continue into adulthood.

What can you do? Get your own needs met with positive relationships and ways to replenish yourself. Instead of constant praise ask your child how they thought they did. Encourage them to self-praise.

3. Wanting to solve problems for them

When they come home and talk about a mean peer or a problem at school what do you do? Do you react and rescue, slipping into your parent problem-solver mode and coming up with a plan of action? Essentially you are taking control of their ability to solve the problems they are encountering. This sends your child the message that they are not competent or responsible enough to figure out how to solve their problems and that someone else needs to do it for them. Imagine what this will look like as they become adults? Will they find relationships in which another person will tell them what to do?

What can you do? Safety first, everything else is negotiable! If it is not a physical or psychological safety issue allow your child the opportunity to figure out how to solve the problem. If you LISTEN, without offering advice, your child will likely figure out some things they can do differently.

The reason why so many children have success in our programs is that we offer a safe place for them to explore their thoughts, feelings, and choices. When given an opportunity, children will come up with ways to solve their problems. As adults we can offer support and encouragement as they explore their choices.

One last important thing. If you find that you are doing one or more of the behaviors above, congratulations! That's right, Congratulations! Why? Because it means that you are aware of what you are doing, and awareness is the first step in making changes. So the next time you notice you are defaulting to one of the behaviors above, STOP, and explore what other things you can do. If you'd like more support we would be happy to help you. Email us at info@thecreativityqueen.com or call us at (941)504-8498.

Art Therapist Sarasota, FL

What does it mean to be an art therapist? A balance of head and heart, an ability to be open to a process whereby we don't know the answers but are willing to accompany another in their self-exploration, a trust that the art and the creative process will ultimately provide healing and growth, a willingness to suspend "knowing" to play in the unknown place of possibles and creation, and love- pure love for those brave individuals who allow us to be witness to their pain and growth.  

Today I celebrate those who have trusted me along their journey, what an honor to be an art therapist!